Learnvest

But that’s not all. More studies show that wealth, brain behavior and social class have a lot more to do with one another than degrees of empathy.

Pilff’s research showed that those with high socioeconomic status tend to have a high interpersonal disregard. But this doesn’t show simply that the rich are mean and the poor are nice.

According to the research, the more money a person has, the more he behaves as if the world revolves around him. And the more self-centered a person is, the higher he ascends into society. On the other end of the spectrum, a person with a lower income considers the feelings of others more and prefers to blend in with his peers than stand out.

Psychologist Hazel Markus dissected the different mindsets of social classes and found that the affluent value characteristics such as individuality, uniqueness and personal achievement, while the less affluent value homogeneity, group affiliation and harmonious relationships.

Her research went so far as to relate a person's music taste with his socioeconomic status. Those with college educations are shown to like indie music because it values individuality, while those with a high-school education prefer country music for its group mentality. So what does that mean for those of us who prefer Top 40?

Music tastes aside, money means business. And according to Kathleen Vohs, a professor at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, money-primed people operate in "functionality mode." Functionality mode brings success in the business world, but isolation and disinterest in the social world.

Having money might make us driven and self-centered, but it’s these same traits that contribute to making us successful and wealthy.

Security

Follow Us

LearnVest Planning Services is a registered investment adviser and subsidiary of LearnVest, Inc. that provides financial plans for its clients. Information shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Please consult a financial adviser for advice specific to your financial situation. LearnVest Planning Services and any third-parties listed, discussed, identified or otherwise appearing herein are separate and unaffiliated and are not responsible for each other’s products, services or policies. LearnVest, Inc. is wholly owned by NM Planning, LLC, a subsidiary of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.